From barber to Oscar winner, the volatile career of Joe Pesci
In short: Joe Pesci is best known for his intense, volatile portrayals of mobsters in films like Goodfellas and The Irishman. Yet, his path to stardom was unconventional, spanning a career as a barber, a musician, and a comedy duo performer before he became a fixture in Martin Scorsese's cinematic world.
Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1943, Joe Pesci began his life in entertainment as a child actor and musician. By the 1960s, he was working as a barber while pursuing music, eventually playing guitar with Joey Dee and the Starliters. His transition to comedy saw him perform as part of a duo with Frank Vincent from 1970 to 1976, where they utilized a sharp, insult-heavy style inspired by Don Rickles. This professional partnership would later bleed into his film career, as the two frequently appeared together in crime dramas.
Pesci's breakthrough came in 1979 when Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro recruited him for Raging Bull. His performance as Joey LaMotta earned him an Academy Award nomination, marking the start of a legendary collaboration. He famously won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Tommy DeVito in 1990's Goodfellas, a character whose explosive temperament and iconic 'funny how?' dialogue were rooted in Pesci's own life experiences. His ability to improvise, often encouraged by Scorsese during rehearsals, became a hallmark of his most memorable performances.
Beyond his gritty crime roles, Pesci demonstrated remarkable range, starring in the blockbuster Home Alone and the comedy My Cousin Vinny. Despite his success, he retired from acting in 1999 to focus on music and personal life, only returning for select projects. Even after decades in the industry, his return for 2019's The Irishman required significant persuasion, as he initially resisted revisiting the 'gangster thing.' His career remains defined by a unique blend of menace, comedy, and a persistent, authentic connection to his New Jersey roots.
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